Parent FAQs | Seeds of Change

Welcome Guardians & Parents!

Thank you for considering enrolling your student in a Seeds of Change research immersion program in Costa Rica. Our goal is nothing short of providing a transformational experience in your child’s life. Our programs challenge students intellectually, nurture their nascent interests in science, and reveal a path forward rich with discovery and promise.

We are proud to say that our research immersion programs are unique. They offer students the opportunity to develop their own original research experience. We mentor them throughout the research process. Yet, a key component is to empower them to envision, design, and implement their own work in collaborative groups. Our Seeds of Change instructors are well equipped to provide the background information students need to trigger their curious natures and engage them in meaningful research endeavors.

We are deliberate and experienced in creating a learning environment that is safe for students to learn how to use and enhance their critical thinking skills. Our pedagogical refrain is: “Give students time to delve deeply, run into dead ends (fail), uncover ways to recover (grit and resilience) and use the power of multiple minds (collaborate) to put together a coherent and logical presentation of their work (communicate).”

How will science research immersion in Costa Rica improve my child’s university prospects?

From first-hand experience, we can say that graduates of our programs that have experience conducting original research claim a distinctive competitive edge over their competition. Not only will they have practiced cross-cultural communication skills and demonstrated independence, cultural awareness, maturity and flexibility, but they will have proven they have the grit and resilience to handle the complexities of true research. This gives them a leg up when applying for university, scholarships, and coveted university internships and lab jobs.
What is included in the program cost?

Airline ticket, program tuition, accommodations, in-country ground transportation, three meals per day, excursion fees, and other program-related expenses.
What is not included in the cost?

Passport application fee (~$145), insect repellant, sunscreen, spending money (think airport and gifts). For personal expenses, such as souvenirs, snacks, we recommend that students bring around $100.00 USD in cash (in $10 or $20 bills). In addition, we strongly recommend that students also travel with a credit card (Visa or Master Card) to cover any unexpected expenses such as a medical emergency. Do not bring traveler’s checks and remember to call your bank and credit card company to inform them of travel plans.
Are scholarships available? Are their fundraising opportunities?

While Seeds of Change does not offer scholarships, we do have an effective fundraising program that students are readily able to raise $500-700 towards their tuition or much, much more if they spend focused time getting orders from family and friends that work in medium to large office situations. For each program a parent volunteer coordinates the coffee fundraiser for students. Seeds of Change provides the inventory at a cost for $6/bag of superior quality coffee grown at elevation in Costa Rica. Students sell each bag for $12. For every bag sold, we deduct $6 from the program cost. Students are provided a brochure that explains the fundraiser, so students can effectively market to neighbors and friends. We also encourage students to submit grant applications to civic organizations in their area. These might include your family’s religious organization, Lions, Rotary or Kiwanis clubs or foundations that provide funds for STEM or extracurricular activities. GoFundME and Facebook Fundraising are examples of ways to rally financial support from family and friends.
Is there an application fee or program deposit required?

The registration fee is $150. This covers initial administrative costs and the group flight reservation fee (~$100) that must be purchased to ensure cost-effective flights. These deposits are non-refundable. In the event of late application, the cost for the program may increase as a direct result of airline ticket price increases. Seeds of Change will communicate the additional charge, if any, for the airline ticket price difference.
How can students communicate with their family while in Costa Rica?

Part of the immersion experience is to unplug from minute by minute cell phone connectedness; therefore, students communicate with parents through a daily blog that two different students author each day. We do this to encourage student group bonding during down-time with old-fashioned games (cards, spot-it, set, boggle - are good, easy to bring group game options) and to avoid interruptions that disrupt the program. It is best to share potentially upsetting news with a teacher/chaperone first, so they can advise when to deliver the news. News is best delivered in an appropriate and private moment and/or arrange for a private call home. SOC on-site coordinators and teacher chaperones always have access to WIFI locations for internet calling services, use walkie talkies, and use email when cell service is poor. In addition, our hosts have 24/7 phone service for emergency situations.
Will my student need any specific immunizations? How do we handle individual medical issues?

All student international travelers are strongly encouraged to discuss this program and destination with their doctor to obtain professional guidance that is specific to your child including updating any routine immunizations which may have lapsed. Although immunization for Hepatitis A is not required by Seeds of Change for admission, it is recommended for all international travelers regardless of your destination. We do visit the Alajuela Province where there has been some malaria transmission. Preventive malaria medication (some options can be taken weekly) is recommended by the CDC as a result. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Traveler website US Center for Disease Control Costa Rica Vaccine Recommendations. which lists recommended and required vaccines for US travelers, as well as other health risk information. You will fill in and sign a medical form and waiver that requires disclosure of any medical conditions your child is being treated for or requires special emergency procedures, e.g. allergies, diabetes, mental health, or seizure issue.
How do I get reimbursed for medical treatments received while on my program?

SOC will advise teacher chaperones to ensure all medically-related receipts are retained for submission to insurance companies back home. Many choose to take photos of the receipts and insurance reimbursement forms to guard against loss of paperwork. Seeds of Change carries emergency evacuation and general liability insurance. Our policies are secondary to student medical and travel insurance policies.
What is SOC’s behavior policy?

All participants and guardians/parents sign the Seeds of Change Code of Conduct Agreement to ensure that all participants can have a safe and memorable trip. Specific travel-related expectations of students are outlined in that document, but the overarching expectation is that participants will behave in a manner that is most conducive to the greatest possible development, growth, and well-being of the individual, other participants in the group, host and off-site staff, and the surrounding community. Actions detrimental to the mission of the program and to the activities of the program may result in early dismissal. In that event the participant is returned to the U.S.A., there is a Seeds of Change travel change fee of $50 plus the airline charge for changing the return flight. In addition, school policies are typically in effect during Seeds of Change school programs. Seeds of Change defers to teacher and school administrator decisions on early dismissal when their school policy is more stringent than Seeds of Change policy.
How do you handle COVID-19 related issues?

SOC did not run any programs in 2020 due to the pandemic, but did run the Tropical Field Research program in the summer of 2021-present after vaccinations became widely available to all high school aged students and adults. To provide optimal defenses against COVID-19 and its ever-evolving variants, SOC strongly urges all to not only be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but also up to date with all boosters for which they are eligible according to the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Check here for all US Center for Disease Control Costa Rica Vaccine Recommendations. SOC leaves the decision to require up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination up to each group leader/school. In the event a participant were to contract COVID-19 or any other contagious illness, SOC and our host site arrange for isolation quarters, medical assistance, and open communication and shared decision making with family back home.

How will science research immersion in Costa Rica improve my child’s university prospects?

From first-hand experience, we can say that graduates of our programs that have experience conducting original research claim a distinctive competitive edge over their competition. Not only will they have practiced cross-cultural communication skills and demonstrated independence, cultural awareness, maturity and flexibility, but they will have proven they have the grit and resilience to handle the complexities of true research. This gives them a leg up when applying for university, scholarships, and coveted university internships and lab jobs.
What is included in the program cost?

Airline ticket, program tuition, accommodations, in-country ground transportation, three meals per day, excursion fees, and other program-related expenses.
What is not included in the cost?

Passport application fee (~$145), insect repellant, sunscreen, spending money (think airport and gifts). For personal expenses, such as souvenirs, snacks, we recommend that students bring around $100.00 USD in cash (in $10 or $20 bills). In addition, we strongly recommend that students also travel with a credit card (Visa or Master Card) to cover any unexpected expenses such as a medical emergency. Do not bring traveler’s checks and remember to call your bank and credit card company to inform them of travel plans.
Are scholarships available? Are their fundraising opportunities?

While Seeds of Change does not offer scholarships, we do have an effective fundraising program that students are readily able to raise $500-700 towards their tuition or much, much more if they spend focused time getting orders from family and friends that work in medium to large office situations. For each program a parent volunteer coordinates the coffee fundraiser for students. Seeds of Change provides the inventory at a cost for $6/bag of superior quality coffee grown at elevation in Costa Rica. Students sell each bag for $12. For every bag sold, we deduct $6 from the program cost. Students are provided a brochure that explains the fundraiser, so students can effectively market to neighbors and friends. We also encourage students to submit grant applications to civic organizations in their area. These might include your family’s religious organization, Lions, Rotary or Kiwanis clubs or foundations that provide funds for STEM or extracurricular activities. GoFundME and Facebook Fundraising are examples of ways to rally financial support from family and friends.
Is there an application fee or program deposit required?

The registration fee is $150. This covers initial administrative costs and the group flight reservation fee (~$100) that must be purchased to ensure cost-effective flights. These deposits are non-refundable. In the event of late application, the cost for the program may increase as a direct result of airline ticket price increases. Seeds of Change will communicate the additional charge, if any, for the airline ticket price difference.
How can students communicate with their family while in Costa Rica?

Part of the immersion experience is to unplug from minute by minute cell phone connectedness; therefore, students communicate with parents through a daily blog that two different students author each day. We do this to encourage student group bonding during down-time with old-fashioned games (cards, spot-it, set, boggle - are good, easy to bring group game options) and to avoid interruptions that disrupt the program. It is best to share potentially upsetting news with a teacher/chaperone first, so they can advise when to deliver the news. News is best delivered in an appropriate and private moment and/or arrange for a private call home. SOC on-site coordinators and teacher chaperones always have access to WIFI locations for internet calling services, use walkie talkies, and use email when cell service is poor. In addition, our hosts have 24/7 phone service for emergency situations.
Will my student need any specific immunizations? How do we handle individual medical issues?

All student international travelers are strongly encouraged to discuss this program and destination with their doctor to obtain professional guidance that is specific to your child including updating any routine immunizations which may have lapsed. Although immunization for Hepatitis A is not required by Seeds of Change for admission, it is recommended for all international travelers regardless of your destination. We do visit the Alajuela Province where there has been some malaria transmission. Preventive malaria medication (some options can be taken weekly) is recommended by the CDC as a result. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Traveler website US Center for Disease Control Costa Rica Vaccine Recommendations. which lists recommended and required vaccines for US travelers, as well as other health risk information. You will fill in and sign a medical form and waiver that requires disclosure of any medical conditions your child is being treated for or requires special emergency procedures, e.g. allergies, diabetes, mental health, or seizure issue.
How do I get reimbursed for medical treatments received while on my program?

SOC will advise teacher chaperones to ensure all medically-related receipts are retained for submission to insurance companies back home. Many choose to take photos of the receipts and insurance reimbursement forms to guard against loss of paperwork. Seeds of Change carries emergency evacuation and general liability insurance. Our policies are secondary to student medical and travel insurance policies.
What is SOC’s behavior policy?

All participants and guardians/parents sign the Seeds of Change Code of Conduct Agreement to ensure that all participants can have a safe and memorable trip. Specific travel-related expectations of students are outlined in that document, but the overarching expectation is that participants will behave in a manner that is most conducive to the greatest possible development, growth, and well-being of the individual, other participants in the group, host and off-site staff, and the surrounding community. Actions detrimental to the mission of the program and to the activities of the program may result in early dismissal. In that event the participant is returned to the U.S.A., there is a Seeds of Change travel change fee of $50 plus the airline charge for changing the return flight. In addition, school policies are typically in effect during Seeds of Change school programs. Seeds of Change defers to teacher and school administrator decisions on early dismissal when their school policy is more stringent than Seeds of Change policy.
How do you handle COVID-19 related issues?

SOC did not run any programs in 2020 due to the pandemic, but did run the Tropical Field Research program in the summer of 2021-present after vaccinations became widely available to all high school aged students and adults. To provide optimal defenses against COVID-19 and its ever-evolving variants, SOC strongly urges all to not only be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but also up to date with all boosters for which they are eligible according to the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Check here for all US Center for Disease Control Costa Rica Vaccine Recommendations. SOC leaves the decision to require up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination up to each group leader/school. In the event a participant were to contract COVID-19 or any other contagious illness, SOC and our host site arrange for isolation quarters, medical assistance, and open communication and shared decision making with family back home.